Ron Grant/RG500 Suzuki

LB · 14th August 2005, 18:52

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I have always thought that the RG500 Suzuki got it's RG title from Ron Grant, a Kiwi who went over to the US in the early/mid 70's and worked for Suzuki.

I had a discussion with someone about this yesterday, and I'd love to be proved right (the other party in the discussion didn't know anything about RG meaning Ron Grant).

Does anyone know any more about this, or can anyone point me to a fairly official website that might tell me? (couldn't find anything immediately on a quick google search so thought I'd come to the NZ motorcycling authority, KiwiBiker!!!)
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**Wellyman** · 14th August 2005, 19:00

My dad still has and RG500. suicide two stroke road bike

**GSVR** · 14th August 2005, 19:05

I'm picking it just some letters that Suzuki picked. Like with the RM motocrossers of the same era

**GSVR** · 14th August 2005, 19:07

Originally Posted by Wellyman

My dad still has and RG500. suicide two stroke road bike

Different levels of suicide. The Kawasaki Z1A was the original suicide machine.

Edit. Make that the H1 Mach 3.

**TLDV8** · 14th August 2005, 19:09

I hadn't heard that..but Suzuki's technology base took a leap after they got their hands on a MZ.. (RG500 square4 = 2 MZ250 twins?)

**TLDV8** · 14th August 2005, 19:11

Originally Posted by Garry H

Different levels of suicide. The Kawasaki Z1A was the original suicide machine

Don't you mean the 1969 H1 500cc Triple followed by the 72 H2750 ?

**merv** · 14th August 2005, 19:33

Don't remember the RG500 name originating from Ron Grant but here's a link to the article when he died in the boating accident http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/tr750/grant.htm and if you belive that he was a Pom in the first place and not a Kiwi. I do remember him racing as a Yank and coming out here around that time.

**What?** · 14th August 2005, 20:35

Ron Grant was definitely Pomgolian, not a kiwi (as told by one of my whanau who knew him well), and there is nothing to suggest that the RG was named for him (although said whanau member said he will check it out for sure)
Sorry, Lynda...

**Coyote** · 14th August 2005, 20:54

Originally Posted by Garry H

Different levels of suicide. The Kawasaki Z1A was the original suicide machine.

Edit. Make that the H1 Mach 3.

**TLDV8** · 14th August 2005, 21:01

**Dadpole** · 14th August 2005, 22:03

Originally Posted by TLDV8

I hadn't heard that..but Suzuki's technology base took a leap after they got their hands on a MZ.. (RG500 square4 = 2 MZ250 twins?)

Or 2 TR250s

**Ixion** · 14th August 2005, 22:36

Originally Posted by TLDV8

Don't you mean the 1969 H1 500cc Triple followed by the 72 H2750 ?

The H1 500 wasn't a suicide machine. It was downright malicious malevolent murder that it had in mind. Still can't believe that I escaped from its clutches alive

**geoffm** · 14th August 2005, 22:46

There is nothing in the RG500 literature, including the factory manual etc on th eorigins of the name. i can ask on the RG500 mailing list if you want.
The RG - 'tis a proper motorbike that is.
Geoff

**TLDV8** · 14th August 2005, 23:53

Originally Posted by Dadpole

Or 2 TR250s

.......or 2 MZ125's ?...i forget,was it Diegner (sp) who later committed suicide who defected taking a MZ,that technology then went into the 125cc program which i think Hugh Anderson was competing in (over night Suzuki's 125's started going very quickly.......the RG rotary valve engine might as well been built by Walter Kaaden himself ? (imho)

**TLDV8** · 14th August 2005, 23:56

Originally Posted by Ixion

The H1 500 wasn't a suicide machine. It was downright malicious malevolent murder that it had in mind. Still can't believe that I escaped from its clutches alive

The World 750cc record is still held by a Kawasaki H2 at 7.77 @170mph (fwiw)

http://www.tsrsoftware.com/49record.htm